This week’s Throw Back Thursday post is an old Herter’s Whip Finisher tool.
You might recall the Herter’s No. 4 Fly Tying Vise I highlighted a few weeks ago. This is a Herter’s tool my friend Jim Fisher showed me when he pulled out the vise and several older fly patterns. As I recall, he purchased this in the 1960’s.
He still had the detailed directions, in case you need a little refresher course.
I haven’t seen this style used by many fly tyers. I’m pretty sure this was before the Matarelli whip finisher became popular.
The original Frank Matarelli whip finisher had Franks initials on each side of the bottom.
You can see the “M” on this side.
I’m guessing I’ve had my Matarelli since the 1980’s and I love it. I’ve tied thousands of flies with it. You can see the difference between the Herter vs. Matarelli versions.
Which one did you start tying flies with?
Enjoy…stay home, stay safe!
Still have the Herters whip finisher, scissors, bobbin, and hackle pliers buried somewhere in my old fishing and fly tying stuff. Will send a picture when i find it
Hi John,
Your post today was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. When I first started tying flies 40+ years ago, money was tight and, hard to believe now, I thought the Herter’s whip finishing tool was too expensive so I made my own out of a couple of safety pins and a 1/2″ by 1/2″ by 4″ piece of wood. I have long since moved up a few notches in my tying tools. Your article caused me to rumage through my tying materials and I found it. I’d send a photo but can’t figure out how to attach it to this message.
I bought mine in the late 80’s and never knew it had a name, so thanks for this post. Friends are bewildered by it, but it’s really straightforward once you get used to rotating the handle along with the boom that holds the thread.
That tool came with my traveling flytying kit that my girls got for me years ago. I never knew how to use it. Now I do. I shall have to try it out this afternoon. I’m sure it will up my tying game! Thanks!!
Kari
Hi John, I also have that exact whip-finish tool and still use it to this day.
Thanks for your site and info, use it all the time. Stay Healthy!!
Mike Whitney
Hi John,
My first whip-finish tool was a Herter’s. I still have the same tool and instructions you shared here today. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Take care & …
Tight Lines – Al Beatty